By Maduabuchi Kalu on October 7, 2016

Former first choice goalkeeper, Ann Agumanu-Chiejine, has disclosed that she never knew that she was four months pregnant when she starred for the national women football team, the Super Falcons, in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Mrs. Agumanu-Chiejine disclosed this on Tuesday at the sports bar of the Teslim Balogun Stadium while addressing young female football players who had gathered during the unveiling of Asisat Lamina Oshoala as the Face of 2016 Women Federation Cup. The event was presided over by the First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, who is also Chairman of the Lagos State Football Association.

The celebrated ball stopper disclosed that she never knew that she was pregnant until she was called out by FIFA for a dope test as one of the outstanding players of the tournament – only for her to be told that she was four months pregnant. She said she probably would not have tried it if she were aware of her condition, saying she believed that God wanted her to be at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games because of the passion she has for the game of football. She strongly advised young ladies who are aspiring to become football players never to try playing while pregnant as it is very risky.

“Let me come to the one that I was pregnant. I didn’t know that I was pregnant, it is not good,” Agumanu-Chiejine said.

“As you grow older you have to be very careful, it was God. I didn’t know I was pregnant. I only got to know when FIFA brought me out as one of the best players of the tournament and I have to do a dope test that was when I knew I was pregnant.

“So, I wasn’t aware that I was pregnant, if I had known; probably I wouldn’t have tried it but I believe that God wanted me to be there because of the passion I have for football,” she said.

Speaking further, the mother of four advised the young ladies realise that they should take things easy and understand that their structure is different from that of men. She explained that the key to a successful football career is what she referred to as the four Ds: Determination, Discipline, Desire and Dedication in whatever you do.

Said Mrs. Agumanu-Chiejine: “You know that the body system is degenerating; let me not go too much inside, so you have to take it easy.

“And that is why if you look at our structure it is different from the men entirely. So, please if you want to play football you must adhere to those things I been talking which are the three Ds or the four Ds. They are discipline, dedication, determination and the desire to do whatever you want to do.

“Don’t be distracted from your passion. I was not distracted from my game if not I won’t be able to be what I am today. If I had stopped, it means that Ann’s football is nothing.

“Meanwhile of all these that I am talking about, if you do not have the passion, you won’t be able to play the game of football. You will not.”

•Photo shows Ann Agumanu-Chiejine.

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 7, 2016

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